Clifford Chance's integrated white collar, regulatory & compliance practice comprehensively covers preventive compliance matters and advises on embezzlement, fraud, money laundering and corruption, as well as current issues pertaining to whistleblowing, Russia-related sanctions and equal pay in the context of employment law compliance. The team focuses on the finance, healthcare, industry, logistics and manufacturing sectors and is also well versed in matters at the ESG interface, including the support in supply chain due diligence, corporate sustainability, human rights and compliance with environmental and climate protection requirements. Healthcare compliance expert Peter Dieners jointly heads the practice with Heiner Hugger (criminal compliance, internal investigations). Michael Dietrich (antitrust compliance) left the team at the end of 2023 and has since co-founded Dietrich Graf Zedtwitz Rechtsanwälte.

Gleiss Lutz‘s integrated compliance & investigations practice advises companies from the automotive, pharmaceutical, media, IT and consumer goods industries as well as public sector clients and increasingly supports clients across the financial sector. The team is well versed in preventive compliance as well as crisis management and assists with the design and implementation of compliance management systems and corporate governance issues. Most recent instructions pertain to sanctions, supply chain compliance, cybersecurity and ESG. This is complemented by expertise in advising governing bodies on D&O liability, including cross-border matters. Eike Bicker (corporate governance, design and implementation of compliance management systems) heads the team. Hendrik Howaldt (antitrust compliance and internal investigations) moved to BRP RENAUD in early 2024.

Hogan Lovells International LLP fields a diverse team and follows a cross-locational approach in advising on preventive compliance measures. The practice focuses on ESG, supply chain due diligence, sanctions and product liability as well as the implementation of compliance management systems and the support in compliance audits. This is complemented by expertise in interfacing antitrust and corporate sustainability matters, which is regularly called upon by companies in the pharmaceutical, automotive, life sciences, medical device as well as financial sectors. Practice head Sebastian Lach is experienced in supporting US-related mandates and also acts as co-CEO of the in-house legaltech brand ELTEMATE, thus placing an industry focus on technology and IT matters. Simone Ridder, who is experienced in criminal law, moved to Eversheds Sutherland in November 2024.

Pohlmann & Company's renowned practice offers comprehensive advice on corporate governance, ESG, compliance audits, supply chain due diligence, whistleblowing, environmental law, compliance monitorships, corporate sustainability and D&O liability issues. The client roster includes players from the healthcare, electronics, telecoms, energy, construction materials, infrastructure, transport, chemicals, finance, PE, industrial and marine technology sectors, which the team supports in compliance and risk analyses and in the design and implementation of compliance management systems. Nicole Willms, who is experienced in US-related compliance monitorships, jointly heads the practice with Christian Beer, who focuses on governance matters and the development and implementation of compliance processes and tools. Sascha Kuhn is experienced in compliance monitorships and data protection and joined the team from Simmons & Simmons in June 2024, while Thomas Lüthi, is well versed in compliance management systems; former practice head and compliance expert Andreas Pohlmann switched to of counsel status.

Baker McKenzie offers a full-service approach in preventive compliance and advises global corporations and DAX40 companies from the automotive, construction, consumer goods, logistics, energy, chemical, IT and financial sectors on corporate governance, ESG, anti-corruption, money laundering and data protection as well as sanctions and export control. This is complemented by expertise at the interface with antitrust, criminal tax and employment law as well as experience in cybersecurity, fraud prevention and product compliance; the latter three segments are core strengths of Nicolai Behr, who co-leads with Anika Schürmann, who is experienced in compliance audits and risk assessments. Schürmann took over the role of co-head from Andreas Lohner (D&O liability and anti-corruption), the latter retired in July 2024.

Dentons's full-service approach also covers cross-border matters and the team advises on traditional compliance topics, such as data protection, money laundering, compliance management systems, foreign trade law, capital markets and securities compliance as well as compliance issues at the interface with tax, antitrust, corporate and employment law. Current growth areas include AI, data governance, supply chains and ESG matters. These competencies are regularly called upon by clients from the healthcare, energy, insurance, automotive, banking and financial sectors. The team is jointly led by Judith Aron (co-chair of the global compliance and investigations practice), who is experienced in the implementation of compliance management systems, and Christian Schefold (data protection, money laundering prevention). Gabriele Haas, who is experienced in energy issues, moved to Noerr in mid 2024.

DLA Piper is well versed in whistleblower protection, money laundering, HR compliance, sanctions, antitrust compliance, due diligence, compliance management systems and supply chain due diligence as well as data protection violations, cyber attacks, MeToo-related matters as well as product and tax compliance. The team offers a cross-practice as well as cross-locational approach, which is complemented by capacities at the criminal law interface as well as expertise in internal investigations. Co-head Christian Schoop is experienced in compliance due diligence and co-leads with Jens Kirchner, who is experienced in HR compliance.

CMS' preventive compliance expertise is primarily requested by companies from the pharmaceutical, medical technology, logistics and manufacturing sectors in connection with corporate governance, D&O liability, money laundering, data protection and HR compliance, as well as issues at the interface with corporate, antitrust, employment and tax law. The team also covers ESG-related topics, such as supply chain matters, human rights and environmental law. Florian Block and practice head Harald Potinecke, who are experienced in product liability and the implementation of compliance management systems, are among the key contacts.

In addition to its forensic capacities, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP also comprehensively advises clients from the automotive and financial sectors on preventive compliance. The practice regularly assists with export control, sanctions, data protection, cybersecurity, ESG and money laundering as well as antitrust and regulatory issues. The team routinely acts across practices and locations. Among the key contacts are Benno Schwarz, who is experienced in anti-corruption and FCPA compliance, Katharina Humphrey (sanctions, anti-corruption and anti-money laundering) and Finn Zeidler (criminal law interface, cross-border advice). Mark Zimmer, who is experienced in HR compliance, moved to ADVANT Beiten in October 2023.

Hengeler Mueller advises numerous well-known international corporations and listed German companies from the real and financial economy on preventive issues pertaining to export control, whistleblower protection, corporate governance, money laundering, product liability, HR compliance and ESG, including supply chain due diligence and greenwashing; the team also covers sanctions, including in connection with Russia. The key contacts include Fabian Quast (public law, forensic compliance), Vera Jungkind (data protection, public law) and Wolfgang Spoerr, who is well versed in regulatory issues and administrative law. Counsel Carolin Raspé, who is experienced in data protection compliance, joined YPOG as a partner in late 2024.

In addition to its traditional focus on banking and finance, Linklaters‘ cross-practice and cross-location compliance offering focuses on the energy, aviation, industry, automotive and technology sectors. The team advises on various topics, including supply chain due diligence, whistleblower protection, human rights, corporate governance, D&O liability and cybersecurity as well as MeToo-related issues, antitrust matters and sanctions; the latter is a key strength of managing associate Jacqueline Engineer. Criminal lawyer Kerstin Wilhelm (financial, automotive, industry and technology sectors) co-leads the team with Staffan Illert (corporate governance, internal investigations); Illert recently took over the co-management from Hans-Ulrich Wilsing (corporate governance), who simultaneously switched to the of counsel position.

Noerr follows a full-service approach in advising German companies on corporate governance, anti-money laundering, product compliance, supply chain due diligence and sanctions and thus also covers interfacing topics, such as the recent growth area ESG. Recently, the team experienced several changes: Julia Sophia Habbe, who is well versed in ESG compliance, moved to White & Case LLP in April 2024, and Volker Rosengarten, who is experienced in cybersecurity, moved to Ashurst LLP in the summer of 2024. Simultaneously, Gabriele Haas (ESG, energy sector) joined from Dentons. In January 2025, Torsten Fett, who is experienced in advising banks and financial service providers, handed over the practice management to a trio consisting of Ingo Theusinger (corporate governance, compliance management systems), criminal lawyer Christian Pelz (compliance management systems) and Rainer Wilke, who is well versed in M&A and corporate law.

Taylor Wessing's full-service approach includes forensic compliance as well as matters at the criminal law interface and is regularly requested by medium-sized companies and international corporations, particularly from the technology and financial sectors. The team is well versed in anti-corruption, compliance management systems, corporate governance, antitrust and foreign trade law issues, data protection, ESG, money laundering and whistleblowing as well as product, healthcare and HR compliance. Martin Knaup (corporate governance, internal investigations) and Jan-Patrick Vogel (HR compliance) jointly lead the team.

White & Case LLP is experienced in advising companies from the financial, automotive and pharmaceutical sectors as well as online services providers on anti-corruption and anti-money laundering as well as on gambling law matters, AFC, liability, ESG and HR compliance. Recently, the team increasingly acted on behalf of companies from the digital sector in connection with the EU Digital Services Act. In April 2024, Julia Sophia Habbe, who is well versed in ESG compliance, joined from Noerr and has since co-led the team with Daniel Zapf; the latter is experienced in the implementation of compliance management systems and anti-money laundering.

Companies from the financial, technology and life sciences sectors regularly instruct A&O Shearman in connection with anti-money laundering, anti-corruption, data protection and HR compliance issues as well as the implementation of compliance management systems, sanctions and due diligence in the transaction context. The expertise in the financial sector was strengthened with the appointment of David Schmid to partner in May 2024. Tim Nikolas Müller is is experienced in embezzlement and fraud matters and leads the team. Ellen Birkemeyer, who is experienced in tax compliance, moved to WTS in November 2023.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP's cross-locational approach is regularly called upon by companies from the financial, automotive and TMT sectors, which the team advises on corporate governance, money laundering, fraud, corruption as well as export controls and related sanctions. The team is also experienced in crisis management, the advice to governing bodies and the implementation of compliance management systems. Bernd Mayer (compliance management systems, internal investigations) leads the team.

AGS Legal advises international medium-sized companies and their governing bodies from the engineering, automotive, trade, construction and real estate sectors on issues at the interface between compliance and employment, civil and criminal law. Practice head Jan Kappel is well versed in advising governing bodies, including criminal law issues, and is supported by Florian Junkers (asset Tracing and recovery).

Berlin-based boutique FS-PP Berlin Part mbB focuses on compliance and commercial criminal law and offers preventive advice on whistleblower protection, data protection, criminal tax law, corruption, money laundering, criminal employment law as well as medical and criminal medical law. The team is also experienced in implementing compliance management systems and is regularly instructed by major industrial companies and public sector clients. Key contacts include Niklas Auffermann (anti-money laundering and criminal law), David Albrecht (criminal employment law and internal investigations), Sebastian Vogel (medical and criminal medical law) and of counsel Rainer Frank (compliance and whistleblower systems).

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP advises across practices and locations on preventive measures pertaining to corruption, money laundering, sanctions, fraud, embezzlement and cybercrime and is also instructed on the development and implementation of compliance management and whistleblowing systems. Practice head Dirk Seiler comprehensively advises on compliance and criminal law matters and is particularly experienced in corporate defense; senior associate Nathalie Thorhauer focuses on cross-border compliance and D&O liability.

Latham & Watkins LLP's traditional strength in transaction support also extends to preventive compliance matters, where the team advises on due diligence, corporate governance and whistleblower systems. This is complemented by expertise in ESG and supply chain due diligence as well as misconduct in the workplace matters. The practice is jointly led by Thomas Grützner (criminal law and internal investigations) and Tim Wybitul (regulatory proceedings and data protection). Former co-practice head Tobias Larisch (corporate governance, corporate law and M&A) moved to Kirkland & Ellis International LLP in mid 2024.

Oppenhoff advises companies from the life sciences, automotive and insurance sectors as well as from the manufacturing industry on D&O liability, HR compliance, corporate governance and data protection and also supports risk analyses and internal compliance matters, including compliance management and whistleblower systems. The team is also well versed in advising on ESG and sanctions related to Russia. Stephan Müller (anti-corruption, money laundering and internal investigations) and Daniel Dohrn (sector focus on automotive, trade, aerospace) jointly lead the team.

SZA Schilling, Zutt & Anschütz Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft primarily advises medium-sized and DAX40 companies on the development and implementation of compliance systems and on increasing the efficiency of existing compliance measures as well as suspected money laundering audits, risk analyses and due diligence; the team is also well versed in cybersecurity and supply chain due diligence issues. The four-strong management includes Jochem Reichert (corporate and M&A), Nicolas Ott (corporate governance, D&O liability), Christian Gehling (corporate governance and supply chain due diligence) and Cäcilie Lüneborg (D&O liability and compliance management systems). Maximilian Goette regularly covers matters at the corporate law interface and was appointed to counsel in January 2025.

Industrial companies and private equity investors regularly instruct act legal on the design and implementation of compliance management systems and on whistleblower protection, supply chain due diligence, embezzlement and tax compliance matters. Michelle Wiesner-Lameth (white collar criminal law and compliance) and Marcus Columbu (financial regulation and compliance) jointly head the practice.

BRP RENAUD supports medium-sized companies from the automotive, insurance and industrial sectors in identifying and assessing compliance risks and implementing compliance management and whistleblower systems, including the advice on violations and subsequent internal investigations. This is complemented by experience in advising governing bodies and corporate governance matters. The team is jointly led by Stefan Reuter (anti-money laundering, whistleblower protection and D&O liability) and Martin Beutelmann (compliance management systems and antitrust law). Hendrik Howaldt (antitrust compliance, internal investigations) joined from Gleiss Lutz in early 2024.

GSK Stockmann primarily advises medium-sized companies, family offices and corporations from the real estate, pharmaceutical and logistics sectors as well as from the manufacturing industry on supply chain due diligence, including compliance risk analyses as well as whistleblower protection, corporate governance, D&O liability as well as the design and implementation of compliance management systems. The team also covers corporate sustainability and sanction-related issues. Practice head Eric Mayer focuses on technology, automotive and healthcare. Gerhard Gündel (focus on the financial and insurance sector) moved to GÖRG Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten mbB in 2023.

Heussen Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH focuses its preventive compliance support on the financial sector and is experienced in transactions as well as real estate funds, financing and investments. The team is experienced in the implementation of compliance management systems and the support in compliance risk assessments. Franz Clemens Leisch, who is experienced in fraud, corruption and money laundering prevention, heads the practice.

Kapellmann und Partner advises medium-sized companies and DAX30 corporations from the real estate, construction and logistics sectors as well as from the manufacturing industry on issues pertaining to antitrust, criminal, employment, corporate and data protection law. The team is experienced in compliance systems, compliance audits and liability issues. Ivo du Mont is well versed in antitrust and competition law compliance and jointly heads the team with Christine Janhsen (corporate law and corporate governance); Janhsen took over the co-management from Julia Lange (criminal and antitrust law compliance) in mid 2024; Lange left at the same time to take on an in-house position.

Norton Rose Fulbright is regularly instructed by international companies from the industrial, aviation, automotive and consumer goods sectors on matters pertaining to the prevention of money laundering, corruption and fraud. The team is also experienced in the implementation of compliance management systems and supply chain due diligence. Practice head Alexander Cappel too focuses on anti-corruption and anti-money laundering matters. In February 2024, Jens Steger (antitrust compliance, compliance management systems) joined the team from K&L Gates LLP.

Oppenländer Rechtsanwälte advises family offices, medium-sized companies, listed stock corporations and corporations on D&O liability, whistleblower protection and antitrust compliance, with most recent instructions pertaining to ESG and the reporting and disclosure obligations in accordance with CSRD and CSDDD. Thomas Kreuz (corporate law and D&O liability) and Florian Schmidt-Volkmar (antitrust compliance) co-lead the practice. Clemens Birkert (data protection and IT law) joined the partner roster in January 2024.

Frankfurt-based white collar criminal law and compliance boutique Rosinus Partner demonstrates particular expertise in supporting digital compliance issues, including IT and cybersecurity as well as crypto-related matters. The team also advises on supply chain due diligence, compliance management systems, whistleblower protection and anti-money laundering. The practice is co-lead by criminal lawyers Christian Rosinus and Mathias Grzesiek. Mirjam Steinfeld (EU sanctions, anti-money laundering) was appointed to salary partner in February 2024.

Renowned companies from the healthcare, real estate and construction sectors as well as from the sports betting and gambling industries instruct Tsambikakis & Partner Rechtsanwälte on various preventive compliance issues, including whistleblower protection, money laundering, embezzlement, risk analyses and the implementation of compliance management systems. Ole Mückenberger (criminal tax law and internal investigations) jointly heads the practice with Michael Tsambikakis and Daniela Etterer, who are both experienced in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.

WilmerHale's German team cooperates closely with the US-based experts and thus regularly advises on cross-border matters, such as monitorships in the US for industrial and pharmaceutical companies. The team is also experienced in the implementation of compliance management systems, sanctions and transaction-related due diligence. Practice head Jan Wendler regularly assists with DOJ matters and increasingly advises on ESG-related issues.